Battery Eldridge

Battery Eldridge (1906-1943) - Battery Bogardus Eldridge was a reinforced concrete, Endicott Period 3 inch coastal gun battery on Fort Terry, Plum Island, Suffolk County, New York. The battery was named in G.O. 194, 27 Dec 1904, after Capt. Bogardus Eldridge, U.S. Infantry, who was killed in action at Bocoor, Philippine Islands, 2 Oct 1899. Battery construction started in October 1903, was completed in October 1906 and transferred to the Coast Artillery for use 22 Nov 1906 at a cost of $ 15,924.00. Deactivated in 1943. Endicott Period Part of the Harbor Defense of Long Island Sound. Originally built as an Endicott Period concrete coastal gun battery with two 3" M1903 guns mounted on M1903 Pedestal mounts carriages. This was a two story battery with the guns on the upper level and two magazines on the lower level. Shells were moved from the magazine level to the gun loading platform by hand. No shell or powder hoists were provided. Electrical power was furnished by the Quartermaster power plant. Battery Eldridge Armament (edit list) Empl No Caliber Type Barrel Length Model Serial No Manufacturer Carriage Service Dates Notes 1 3" Rifle 170" M1903 56 Watervliet Pedestal mounts, M1903, #53, Watertown 1906-1943 See note 1 2 3" Rifle 170" M1903 57 Watervliet Pedestal mounts, M1903, #54, Watertown 1906-1943 See note 1 Source: RCW Form 1, 1 Nov 1926, Coast Defense Study Group, Berhow, Mark A. ed, American Seacoast Defenses: A Reference Guide, 2nd Edition, CDSG Press, McLean, VA, 2004, ISBN 0-9748167-0-1, pages 74-75, 206 Note 1: CDSG Gun Card Collection from NARA Battery Eldridge Plan World War I The U.S. entry into World War I resulted in a widespread removal of large caliber coastal defense gun tubes for service in Europe. Many of the gun and mortar tubes removed were sent to arsenals for modification and mounting on mobile carriages, both wheeled and railroad. Most of the removed gun tubes never made it to Europe and were either remounted or remained at the arsenals until needed elsewhere. The guns of Battery Eldridge were not affected by the World War I redistribution or the following 1920 disarmament program. Battery Eldridge was severely damaged in the Great New England Hurricane on 21 Sep 1938. As a result it was approved for abandonment on 12 May 1939 with the guns to be kept in storage. World War II Battery Eldgridge was removed from the Harbor Defense plan 17 May 1943. The guns and carriages were declared obsolete on 18 Oct 1945 and reported as processed for salvaging 15 Mar 1946. Current Status Now on Plum Island Animal Disease Center (PIADC) operated by U.S. DHS. No period guns or mounts in place. Location: Plum Island, Suffolk County, New York Maps & Images Lat: 41.169452 Long: -72.195588 Multi Maps from ACME Maps from Bing Maps from Google Elevation: 22.54' Sources: U.S.Army, Supplement to the Harbor Defense Project of Long Island Sound, (HDLIS-AN-45), 15 Feb 1945, CDSG Links: Coast Defense Study Group, CDSG Press, CDSG Digital Library Visited: No